how to repair bathtub drain

Ways To Fix Your Bathtub Drain

• 1: Use Boiling Water. Soap buildup can be addressed by pouring boiling water down the drain. To do this, boil a certain...
• 2: Try To Pull Out the Hair Clogs. Sometimes, clogged hair may not be too far down the drain, and you can still pull it...
• 3: Use a Plumbing Snake. A plumbing snake is a metal wire equipped with a spike at its end,...

Full Answer

How to unclog a bathtub drain the right way?

Step by Step Guide

1. Prepare for the job. You need to remember that working with baking soda and vinegar is not a safe thing. ...
2. Pour baking soda. Now, the first thing to do when you already prepared for the job is to put baking soda down the drain.
3. Add vinegar into the drain. ...
4. Use a wet cloth. ...
5. Pour boiling water down the drain. ...
6. Repeat the process. ...

How do I unclog a bathtub drain?

Use hot water to unclog your bath drain

• Remove the bathtub drain stopper and see if there is any visible blockage (clumps of hair). ...
• Fill a kettle with water and set it to a boil.
• Once the water is boiling, pour the water down the drain of your bathtub. ...
• Turn on the water and see if your drain is draining any faster.

How do you replace a broken bathtub drain?

Replace the Bathtub Drain

• Whether you are replacing the drain you just removed or installing a new drain, use fresh plumber’s putty.
• Roll the putty between your hands until it is a long log that is about as thick as a pencil. ...
• Screw the new drain basket in by hand and tighten it with the pliers or drain wrench.
• Use the putty knife to remove excess plumber’s putty.

More items...

How to get drain plug out of bathtub?

Remove the stopper

• Pop-up stopper. Pop-up stoppers are the kind where you push it down to close it – and then push it once more to make it pop up again when you ...
• Push-pull stoppers. These stoppers are opened and closed by turning a knob on top. ...
• Other types. ...

How do I fix the drain in my bathtub?

0:292:35How to Fix a Bathtub Drain Stopper | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd now by loosening or tightening we affect how far that plunger travels okay so it starts for usMoreAnd now by loosening or tightening we affect how far that plunger travels okay so it starts for us by removing your trip lever plate.

Can you replace the drain in a bathtub?

Bathtub drain removal and replacement can be an easy task, regardless of the type of bathtub you own. Once you know the appropriate steps for how to remove a tub drain, you can even replace the bathtub drain with a different style of drain that better suits your needs.

Should I use plumbers putty on bathtub drain?

Using plumber's putty works best for it creates a waterproof seal when used on wet surfaces. In case you find it challenging to reach the underside area of the tub drainage pipe, then your best option will be silicone caulking. Use the caulk to seal the exposed drain area.

How do you replace a bathtub drain assembly?

3:118:50How to Replace a Tub Drain | Ask This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThere's two screws that are on this plate right here all right once you unscrew them and i'll startMoreThere's two screws that are on this plate right here all right once you unscrew them and i'll start working down here sounds. Good.

How do you replace a tub drain pipe?

1:0217:03How To Replace A Bathtub Drain (And What It Costs!) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you're going to turn the needle nose pliers until he gets loose. So now once it gets loose youMoreBut you're going to turn the needle nose pliers until he gets loose. So now once it gets loose you can just do it by hand by sliding that out like this. And probably takes about 7 to 8 turns.

Is it better to use silicone or plumbers putty on a shower drain?

For the drain itself, plumber's putty is the best solution. The material makes waterproof seals with wet surfaces. If you need to seal the drainpipe, you'll want to use silicone. Caulk is important to sealing pipes because it creates watertight seals that don't wash away.

Is it better to use silicone or plumbers putty?

Plumber's putty and silicone are two types of plumbing compounds that you can use to prevent leaks and create watertight seals for plumbing fixtures. Putty offers more flexibility and easier removal, but silicone caulking creates a stronger waterproof and weatherproof seal.

Does a bathtub drain need Teflon tape?

You don't need tape for the seal (those drain to shoe threads are not where the water seal takes place in those parts) but since you are using metal drain parts teflon tape or pipe dope does greatly increase the odds that you or the next person will be able to get them apart, rather than finding them irrevocably ...

What is a drain wrench?

A bathtub drain wrench or sometimes called a drain key. The new bathtub drain. A long screwdriver, plumbers pliers (channel locks), a properly sized wrench to fit the body of the drain key, or really big channel locks (vice grips). Ask Question.

Is plumber's putty easy to remove?

The plumbers putty is easy to remove as seen in the video.

How to Replace a Tub Drain: Step-by-Step Instructions

Using a screwdriver, remove the two screws securing the overflow plate.

Resources

Richard replaced the old bath waste and overflow with an Everbilt Trip Lever Brass Pipe Bath Waste and Overflow in Chrome, though most bath waste and overflow kits would also work.

What to do when your bathtub won't drain?

Another at-home trick to try when your bathtub won’t drain is to pour boiling water. This will help to melt soap scum and hair build-up to unclog the drain. But this tactic will only work if the boiling water can be poured directly into the drain opening.

What happens if a bathtub drain is blocked?

A blocked bathtub drain is a nasty situation. The water that won’t empty in the tub basin is full of bacteria, which will multiply and turn into a cesspool if left untreated. Make sure to troubleshoot your bathtub drain clog as soon as possible to avoid this.

How to stop a bathtub from clogging?

First, use drain covers in the shower or tub that will capture large items like clumps of hair or small pieces of plastic from going down the drain.

What is a built in drain stopper?

The Built-in Drain Stopper Is Stuck. Most bathtubs (especially if they are a shower combo) have a built-in stopper. A stopper is used to prevent the water from draining as needed, such as when you are filling up the tub for a bath. Depending on your bathtub’s design, your built-in stopper may be: Push-pull knob.

How to unclog a pipe?

A professional plumber may also try hydro jetting to unclog the pipes. This involves using a high-powered water pressure machine to create a strong stream of water that will run through your pipes to quickly remove any blockages. This also helps to clean out the entire plumbing system, so you won’t deal with any clogs in the near future.

Why does my shower fill with water?

There is nothing more unsanitary than a shower that fills with water because the bathtub won’t drain. This means that all of the dirt, germs, and soap scum that you have tried to clean off is just left to fester. The standing water from a bathtub drain that isn’t working properly will also make your tub dirty and disgusting very fast.

What to use to soften shower water?

You may also want to install a new showerhead with a built-in filter, water softener, or a de-scaler. These will help to filter out minerals and add salt to “soften” the water, making it less likely to cause issues with the drain.